Get your morning started right with a hike through the upper Sonoran desert. We will enjoy the amazing views of Cave Creek Regional Park while we keep our legs moving and hearts pumping on this 3.2 mile hike. Along the way, you’ll also receive some great tips on general fitness, hiking gear and discuss strategies for hiking during the warmer months. Remember, always bring plenty of water and wear sturdy shoes or boots. Meet at the Nature Center.

Date: 5/31/2012

Time: 7:00 AM - 8:30 AMDuration: 1.5 hours

Registration Required: No

Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee

Contact: Ranger Sarah sarahsteele@mail.maricopa.gov

Location: Meet at the Slate Trailhead

Address:37019 N. Lava LaneCave Creek, AZ 85331

The Secret Lives of Cacti - North Trail- McDowell Park

McDowell Mountain Regional Park

The Secret Lives of Cacti- North Trail
Join Ranger Amy on a search for the blooms and fruit of our desert cacti, from stately saguaros to ‘jumping’ teddy bear cholla. Discover which are edible, and learn about the creatures great and small that depend on them for life here in the desert. Guided walk is approximately 1 mile in length, and 1 ½ hours. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Meet at North Trail.

Date: 5/31/2012

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AMDuration: 1 1/2 hours

Speaker: Ranger Amy Burnett

Registration Required: No

Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee

Contact: amyburnett@mail.maricopa.gov 480-471-0173x201

Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park

Address:16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Yoga – Connect In Nature! – All Levels Class - Usery Park

Usery Mountain Regional Park

Connect with nature in Usery Park’s Nature Center by exploring your breath before a desert hike. Improve your balance for a bike ride through easy-to-learn, fundamental yoga postures. This all-levels class for both beginners and experienced yogis sets the tone for your day of hiking, riding or…yes, even your workday! Please join Inner Vision Yoga and their certified instructors for inspiring yoga every Monday night at 6pm, Tuesday and Thursday at 9am, and Saturday at 8:30am. Sign up for these fee-based classes at www.innervisionyoga.com or drop into the park. For more information see websites, or call 480-632-7899 or 480-984-0032. Location: Nature Center

Date: 5/31/2012

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Registration Required: No

Fee: Fee-based program

Location: Nature Center

Address:3939 N. Usery Pass Rd.Mesa, AZ 85207

Thursday Theater - Estrella

Estrella Mountain Park

It’s time to “Move it, Move it!” with the cast from “Madagascar” (rated PG) as they escape from the zoo and get shipwrecked on an exotic island with “wild” animals! Ranger Mark will have the “BIG” screen all set up in the Nature Center. Bring a picnic lunch to eat in the park, afterwards.

What makes a desert a desert? How are they formed? What are the similarities and differences between our world’s deserts? If you would like to know the answers to these questions, or any questions you may have about deserts, then this one-hour presentation is for you! Bring your sandwich to the “Brown-Bag It” series inside our Nature Center as Ranger B shares some amazing facts about these unique environments. Location: Nature Center.

Date: 5/31/2012

Time: 12:00 PM

Registration Required: No

Fee: $6.00 per car

Little Critters Storytime w/ Ranger Amy -McDowell Park Nature Center

McDowell Mountain Regional Park

Little Critters Storytime with Ranger Amy - (Geared toward preschool and older children) Join us every Thursday for a themed program set around a children's book read aloud by Ranger Amy. Activities vary and may include live animals, songs, crafts, and/or puppet plays. This program takes place in our air-conditioned Visitor Center.

Date: 5/31/2012

Time: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PMDuration: 1 hour

Speaker: Ranger Amy Ford

Registration Required: No

Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee

Contact: amyford@mail.maricopa.gov 480-471-0173x201

Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park Nature Center

Address:16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Scorpion Scavenger Hunt - San Tan

San Tan Mountain Regional Park

Join us for a tantalizing 1-mile hike to explore the wondrous desert life at night. Using a special black light, we will search for one of the true giants of the desert... the Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion. See its fluorescent glow under the black light and learn fascinating facts about these magnificent creatures, as well as other night life critters. Bring plenty of water, proper hiking attire, and a flashlight (black lights also encouraged, but are optional). Black lights will be available to rent at the visitor center through the Friends of San Tan.